The word ‘colourful’ can be used to paint over a multitude of things when describing a footballer.

But it could never disguise the fact Chico Flores was only halfway to being the kind of centre-back Swansea City needed.

The game needs colourful characters, needs its cult idols and those who do things differently.

What teams – and certainly managers – can do without is those players being in the position where things are often much more black and white.

It says much about Chico’s time at the Liberty that a Google search of ‘Chico Flores Colourful’ brings up 13.5m results. His name plus “controversial”: 2.9m; “erratic”: 3.17m; “rash”: 5.42m. “Solid” and “Reliable” bring just more than 5m returns between them – not great when you consider his role at the back in a division that shows little sympathy to those who err.

Admittedly, that is quite unscientific research but it does point towards the picture of Chico from his two years in south Wales where in my view, he erred too often.

Chico’s roles in impressive rearguard performances should not be forgotten; the League Cup semi-final victory at Chelsea springs to mind as does an outstanding – as well as goalscoring – contribution at Stoke in the early days of Garry Monk’s reign.

They were games where the step-overs, the daring dummies with strikers nearby, were backed up by reliable defending where he would not give an inch against markers who looked to outmuscle him if they couldn’t outmanoeuvre.

Chico was even named by Fabio Capello in his personal world XI. That’s how high his stock was amongst some.

But when it looked as though the former Spain Under 21 international might learn from being coached by a former centre-back in Monk, there was a return to the side-on tackles that led to penalties against Everton and Chelsea and a plain daft sending off that took his tally to three in two years.

Chico’s comfort on the ball was obvious and clearly welcome at Swansea, but he didn’t always back it up with the basics.

He was quick, but his positioning would too often put pressure on teammates, Ashley Williams – a picture of consistency in stark contrast next to his partner – sometimes letting his own game slip as he had to mop up mistakes of the man he should be able to stake his career upon as his regular partner.

Chico Flores

His reading of the game should have stopped that becoming an issue; the sight of Chico anticipating balls through to forwards perhaps his most impressive attribute with his average interceptions leading the way in each campaign since arriving as Laudrup’s first signing, a £2m capture from Genoa in July 2012.

But he also led the way in number of fouls made, often silly ones rather than the traditional British football type that welcomed centre-forwards into the game.

Which brings me to another frustration. Despite the hairstyles and the supercars, I believe Chico appeared to like to give off the image of the hard man. But too often he would roll on the floor, something that became increasingly tiresome.

Fans made it clear they wouldn’t tolerate such behaviour any more after his clash with Andy Carroll at Upton Park.

That was Laudrup’s last match and, given the previous and very public training ground row with Monk, many predicted the beginning of the end for Chico.

If it was, it was not because of the punch-ups but because of performances.

So much so, Monk was prepared to start the new 2014-15 season with the Spaniard – until Laudrup upped his offer and enabled Swansea to strengthen in an area they needed to.

Chico Flores celebrates scoring for the Swans

Chico is a divider of opinions, so his move has seen a mix of responses from fans.

But while his values on the pitch can be debated, you wonder what it says about the attitude and ambition of a player that he is willing to leave the Premier League for the Middle East at such an early age.

Qatar is a place of hot weather but hardly a hotbed of football.

Doubling their money for a player within two years of the end of his contract represents good financial business for Swansea.

But Monk’s misgivings of the player must be backed up by ensuring Kyle Bartley and Jordi Amat are ready for the challenge – or landing an upgrade in the form of a new signing.

It is remiss to say Chico was not a good defender, but he could have been even better.